The "Trifexis killed my dog" stories keep popping up -- through social media and traditional media, but don't get into a panic if you give the medicine to your dog.

I wanted to know about the credibility of the stories because our dogs have been using Trifexis to prevent heartworm, fleas and intestinal parasites for years. It's not a cheap drug, but it works. But I'd never want to recommend giving any companion animal, mine or anybody else's, something that would hurt him.

Animals

About the writerJoey Kennedy, a Pulitzer Prize winner, focuses on animal issues for the Alabama Media Group. He is also a community engagement specialist for AL.com. He can be reached at jkennedy@al.com.

I guess I got a little worried because as I was researching the rumors and stories, I went to Snopes, and the claim, "Trifexis brand parasite prevention tablets have caused the deaths of a large number of dogs," was listed as "Undetermined."

As Snopes writes, an Atlanta TV station's report last month on the issue claimed "the number of death complaints related to Trifexis had gone up by nearly 40 percent . . . (a common occurrence when consumers are warned about a particular adverse effect in conjunction with a given drug)."

Blagburn said there is going to be adverse reactions in some animals -- just as in humans who use medicines -- no matter what drug they're taking.

"There are unusual circumstances for any product," Blagburn said. "But the benefits of these products far, far outweigh the negatives."

What happens today is a report gets to social media, goes viral, and before you know it, the company that makes Trifexis (Elanco) is deluged with concerns and has to issue an official statement for damage control.

"You really do hear a lot about a little," Blagburn said. "I'm not discounting any reaction, especially a fatal reaction. But it does happen with any medicine. We take these medicines with a benefit-risk ratio. What is the most overwhelming of the two? Well, it's the benefit."

Blagburn pointed out nobody seriously questions giving their dogs rabies and other vaccines. Yet, those vaccines sometimes cause problems. What's most important, said Blagburn, is that such reactions are rare.

"The benefit of using this medicine, after 33 years in this field, far exceeds the risk," Blagburn said.

Do you use Trifexis as a flea/heartworm/parasite preventative for you dog? Have you seen any adverse reaction in your animal? Tell us in the comments section below.